Leica M Lenses on DRAGON (findings)

[Steven Dean]

I was pretty psyched about getting my M lenses on the Dragon sensor. I am no longer looking at these as viable option, other than 50mm and longer, and in circumstances when shooting at 4kWS or below.








Leica 35mm 1.4 Summilux M ASPH FLE (newest 35mm Summilux):

-doesn't reach infinity focus without OLPF modification (this can be done)
-exhibits magenta corner shading (useable at 4k WS, but not really above)

I love this lens, I really wish it worked at 6k, it is the sharpest 35 I have ever used, has gorgeous micro contrast, sublime color, and pleasing OOF area...






Leica 24mm f/3.8 Elmar M ASPH

-exhibits magenta corner shading (useable at 4k WS, but not really above)

In contrast to the 35mm Summilux, it is possible to focus this lens to infinity without OLPF modification. Before I noted the corner shading on my 35m LUX today, I was contemplating a 24mm 1.4 Summilux to see if the corner shading existed, but I think that it is safe to say that it probably does - I have seen reports of the 24 Lux exhibiting shading on A7R, etc..







Leica 50mm 1.4 Summilux ASPH

Exhibits corner shading, though not as bad as the two lenses above. 5k WS is acceptable, 4.5k WS even better, etc....



As of right now, these are the three lenses that I have tested, since I own them. I may test more in the future, but the magenta corner shading on the current 35mm Summilux makes me wary of investing in any more wide M glass specifically for Dragon. These lenses are the best I have owned in my life, and the get tons of use on my M240, but are no longer really an option for use on the Dragon. Of course there are variances, even within a given manufacturer's lens line. Best to test yourself, but personally, I would not recommend purchasing an M mount for Dragon.

 

[Lee Saxon]

Given how far into the corners these issues start to appear on the FF35 A7r, I'm a little surprised to see them so pronounced on Dragon. And yes, there are variations in how well different 35's work, this all has to do with individual optical designs rather than particular focal lengths; the Voigtlander 35/1.2 II works much better for example.